The Department of Motor Vehicles will stage a statewide crackdown Thursday on businesses that sell off-highway vehicles without an agency-issued license. OHVs are described by the DMV as an all-terrain vehicle, all-terrain motorcycle, dune buggy, snowmobile or "any motor vehicle used on public lands for the purpose of recreation."

The DMV Compliance Enforcement Division not only will contact registered dealers who have been slow to comply, they will approach - in person - big-box stores, auto parts outlets, garages and other retailers who have been selling the vehicles unaware that a DMV license was required.

A registered dealer is one with a state business license. Thirteen of the state's 37 registered dealers are in Southern Nevada.

"It's a safety concern for the public. We want to make sure the public is doing business with a legitimate dealer, and a legitimate dealer has to have a license issued by the DMV," compliance enforcement administrator Donnie Perry said, explaining that selling an OHV is akin to an auto dealership selling a car.

Perry could not say how many - or which - businesses will be approached, but his entire compliance enforcement staff of 16 will be in the field Thursday.